Financial figures released by Game Publishers aren’t always the most exciting thing to read, and EA must think the same thing. Early this week, the company highlighted what matters most to gamers: Are EA’s games any good?
EA released a few ‘Selected Operating Highlights and Metrics’ in their press release earlier this week which highlights just how well their games did this year; and even tells you where to go find their top titles:
EA was the #1 publisher in the Western World in Q4 on high definition consoles and #1 on the PC. EA was the #1 publisher in Europe and increased segment share by three points to 20%.
EA delivered 15 titles rated 80 or above by Metacritic in fiscal 2011. Mass Effect™ 2 won more than 150 quality awards including Game of the Year at both the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
EA held 15 of the top 25 paid games on the iPhone® Easter Weekend. Revenue from iOS devices and from our Playfish social gaming site both increased by more than 100% in the fourth quarter as compared to the same period fiscal 2010.
EA shipped seven titles in the fourth quarter that have already sold in over 1 million units each, life to date. Crysis® 2, Dragon Age™ 2, and Dead Space™ 2 each sold in more than two million units.
Life to date, including digital, FIFA 11 sold in 12 million units; Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2 sold in over seven million units; and Medal of Honor™, Need for Speed™ Hot Pursuit, and Madden NFL 11 each sold in over five million units.
Cumulative sales of Dead Space 2 are currently 40% higher than sales of the original Dead Space game over a comparable period.
The EA SPORTS™ FIFA franchise generated over $100 million in non-GAAP digital revenue in fiscal 2011.
While Metacritic scores may not be the be-all end-all of gaming reviews, it’s hard to argue that titles like Need for Speed Hot Pursuit and Mass Effect 2 are not worthy of an 80+ score. EA may not be perfect, but it’s good to see a major publisher aiming to make games that are actually enjoyable.
